I would be remiss if I stopped before underscoring the value and importance of the WTO dispute settlement process. The U.S. is one of the most active participants in the dispute settlement process and views the integrity of that process as critical. As we have made clear, this is not an area where judicial activism or the creation of new obligations through arbitrator discretion is appropriate. We will continue to underscore the importance of ensuring that the dispute settlement system is strictly bound by the agreements those Members have negotiated and remains accountable to Members.

Launched in 2013, twenty-three parties are negotiating TISA, an agreement that will encompass state-of-the-art rules to promote fair and open trade across the full spectrum of service sectors – from telecommunications and technology to distribution and delivery services.

Today’s announcement demonstrates that the WTO can deliver real, commercially significant results, and will eliminate tariffs on hundreds of Made-In-America information technology products. A major win for the World Trade Organization, producers of technology products, and consumers around the world

The expansion of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA), the first major tariff-eliminating deal at the WTO in 18 years, demonstrates the economic promise of this approach – and why the Obama Administration is pursuing the most ambitious trade agenda in American history.

“On the basis of this breakthrough with India, we now look forward to working with all WTO Members and with Director-General Roberto Azevedo to reach a consensus that enables full implementation of all elements of the landmark Bali Package, including the Trade Facilitation Agreement.“